Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. George Mireku Duker has stated it is necessary to involve everybody, especially traditional leaders in the fight against illegal mining.
According to him, it has become imperative to involve more stakeholders in the fight because not much has been realized from the District Mining Committees inaugurated to ensure responsible mining in the country.
The onus, he said, lies not only on the central government but all stakeholders including individuals to protect the water bodies and help save Ghana’s future for posterity.
“If you protect the rivers in your community, you are not doing it for the government but for yourselves, your children and Ghana’s future and so let’s be emotional about this and solve this challenge dispassionately.”
Hon. Mireku Duker made the call in an address to the Eastern Regional Security Council, (REGSEC), MMDAs and the 15 District Mining Committees on Thursday, 25th August 2022.
The government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has taken the stand to join forces and empower all stakeholders to be up and doing in the combat against illegal mining, particularly in the river bodies and forest reserves following reports of continuous illegal mining activities in some mining Regions and Districts of the country.
He employed traditional leaders, particularly the overlords to be strict and ensure that their sub-chiefs abide by the laws, insisting that those who do not abide by the laws should be destooled if necessary to encourage vigilance and constant monitoring of the rivers that run through their Lands.
The Deputy Mines Minister also cautioned the chiefs not to allow foreigners, particularly from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire to invade their communities and mine in the rivers, adding that they should ensure that all who engage in mining in their communities exercise due diligence.
“Among all others, ensure that concessions under your jurisdiction are 100 meters away from the rivers just as the law stipulates,” he added.
Hon. Duker stressed that as the law allows for citizen arrests, the government will soon ensure that onlookers in mining communities, regardless of positions will be arrested for sitting idle and allowing such atrocities to happen under their watch.
He outlined a number of efforts the government has put in place in the light of the galamsey fight saying, “In the bid to end this canker, the government has provided mercury-free mining equipment, five speed boats with navy personnel to constantly patrol the rivers, tracking devices and a control room to track excavators and other moving equipment.”
“Operation Halt II is also being strictly enforced among many other strategies government is embarking on to rid the country of the canker”
He called for a unified and strengthened effort to address this challenge, stressing that political affiliation should not be considered in the efforts adding, “Let’s rid this fight of any political colourization and protect our water bodies with passion”
He charged the MMDAs and security agencies to arrest miners or mining companies that take advantage of the Community Mining Schemes (CMS) to mine in communities that have the CMS inaugurated and operationalized.
Addressing some concerns raised by some of the MMDAs and Chiefs, the Deputy Minister in charge of Mines assured the leaders that all their grievances have been duly noted and steps will be taken to mitigate them while appealing for continued support and confidence in government.
Hon. Duker commended the stakeholders for their efforts and support so far, noting that government will recognize and award those who engage in mining the right way.
“Government is not against mining and I can’t emphasize this enough and because of this we have instituted the Small Scale Mining Awards to endorse and encourage those who mine the right way and this year, somewhere in November we will do this again.”
Hon. George Mireku Duker however warned that government will not relent in its efforts to go against the perpetrators strongly.
“We are deeply saddened by this sudden surge but I must ensure you that government will go against these perpetrators strongly and without mercy”
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Acheampong in his welcome address explained the far-reaching and devastating impact of illegal mining on the very lives of the citizens and on the socio-economic activities of the country.
Hon. Seth Acheampong told the gathering that if care is not taken, Ghana will soon lose its relevance in the field of trade as the use of mercury in the river bodies impact various foods, mentioning cocoa as an example.
Most participants suggested that recalcitrant illegal miners who are prosecuted should be made to stay in jail without interference and serve as a deterrent to perpetrators.
Traditional leaders at this all-important meeting appealed for protection from the police and the security services as most of them receive death threats from illegal miners.
